[Greens-Media] Govt should release whale evidence

[Norton, Tim (Sen R. Siewert)]

Govt should release whale evidence
Thursday 7th February 2008

The Australian Greens are calling on the Federal Government to make
photographic and video evidence collected during the Oceanic Viking
operation available to HSI.

"If the government now has the evidence needed to mount a legal case
against Japanese whaling, then there is a moral imperative for them to
release it to support the current court case being fought on our behalf
by HSI," said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"I don't see how the Minister for Home Services can claim success for
the operation, when not one whale has been saved through their
operations to date."

"So far, the only ones who have had any success in preventing whales
from being killed in the Australian Antarctic whale sanctuary have been
the non-government organisations," said Senator Siewert.

"It is hypocritical for the home services Minister to call the Oceanic
Viking's mission a success, if they are not taking the opportunity to
swiftly bring the evidence to bear to halt the whale slaughter," she
said.

"The Government should commence their legal action now and assist HSI
wherever possible."

"The Japanese whaling fleet are still in our Antarctic waters and whales
are still dying painfully and unnecessarily," she concluded.

For more information or comment call Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025
Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au  |  http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au